Time running out for Ferrari's Vettel - Wolff

Jun.23 (GMM) Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel is still clinging onto contention for the 2015 title, according to Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.

The Italian team has closed the gap on Mercedes this year, but Niki Lauda admits he was "surprised" how easily Rosberg and Hamilton drove away in Austria.

Vettel admitted: "We were not as close as we had hoped."

Wolff confirmed: "The first 10, 15 laps, we drove flat out. Then we could relax a little."

Indeed, Rosberg said after a fast start on Sunday, it had actually been "one of the easiest victories of my career".

Ferrari spent tokens to upgrade its engine in Canada, and it is now rumoured the Italian team could debut further upgrades at Monza and again in Austin in October.

"Our cars are evolving all the time," Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne confirmed, "and I think that by the time we are at Monza we will be in much stronger positions."

But by then, it might be too late. Vettel is already almost 100 points behind Hamilton's lead, meaning the German needs to start reducing the gap now.

"If we extend or maintain our position until Hungary," said Wolff, "then it does become more difficult for Ferrari."